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Category: Awareness campaigns

Black History Month 2019 – Doreen Lawrence

The murder of Black British teenager Stephen Lawrence on 22nd April 1993, and the revelations that followed in the wake of this horrific event of a bungled investigation by an institutionally racist Metropolitan Police Service, are ingrained in the British public consciousness. The Lawrence family have endured so much but through their vocal campaign for justice and reform they have brought about vital change in policing and the criminal justice system. The official Black History Month 2019 campaign theme is the celebration of Black women and their invaluable contributions to British society, particularly in the years since the Windrush generation arrived and settled in the UK, and one woman whose impact and achievements have been incredibly admirable is Stephen’s mother, Doreen Lawrence. She has worked tirelessly to advance community relations and human rights, and has become one of the most influential people in the UK.

Welcome to Canterbury Public Library

“Librarians took me in. They gave me stories. I discovered Mirkwood and climbed an Oak Tree with Bilbo Baggins and saw an armada of black butterflies fluttering above the tree tops. I went in search of more” – Chris Riddell, from “Life Changing Books or Librarians I Have Loved…a Love Letter”.

Black History Month 2019 – The Story of Windrush

October is Black History Month in the UK and this year, the central campaign theme is the celebration of Black women whose impact on British society since the arrival of the West Indian population known as the Windrush generation has been invaluable. As members of families and communities, contributors to vital public services, and forces for progression and change, these women, along with the men and children that accompanied and settled with them, have become an integral part of the country’s DNA since they made the UK their home. In light of the scandal that recently has engulfed Windrush in the media and highlighted the mistreatment by the Home Office of so many of those that were born British subjects and made the journey across the seas, it seems especially important that their importance in Britain is recognised and that they are venerated as they should be.

Staff Wellbeing Week – Mental Health

17th-21st June 2019 is CCCU Staff Wellbeing Week and with the recent launch of the university’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework, it seems that more than ever we are understanding the importance of openness and empathy around mental health (MH). In this spirit, I’d like to talk a little about my own experiences with MH both within and outside of the workplace, and as June is Pride month I’d like to explore the parallels I can draw between existing in this society as an LGBT person, and as someone with depression and anxiety.